Aditya Birla Group, Times of India, Blackstone Seal $1.78 Billion Deal for Royal Challengers Bengaluru
In a landmark transaction reshaping the landscape of Indian cricket, a consortium comprising the Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise. This acquisition encompasses both the men's team from the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the women's team from the Women's Premier League (WPL), purchased from United Spirits Limited (USL), a subsidiary of Diageo plc.
Historic Valuation and Ownership Transition
The deal values the RCB franchise at an impressive US$1.78 billion, approximately INR 16,600 crore, underscoring the soaring commercial appeal of IPL properties. The transaction is pending customary closing conditions, including approvals from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the IPL governing council, and other regulatory authorities. Upon completion after the 2026 edition, the franchise will undergo a significant ownership restructuring.
Aryaman Vikram Birla, director at the Aditya Birla Group, is set to assume the role of chairman, while Satyan Gajwani of the Times of India Group will serve as vice-chairman. This leadership duo aims to steer RCB into a new era of growth and global prominence.
Strategic Vision and Legacy Building
Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, "Over the past two decades, the IPL has morphed into a global sporting powerhouse that has transformed Indian cricket and created enormous value for India. RCB, as one of the most compelling franchises in modern sport, offers the Aditya Birla Group a distinctive platform to extend its legacy of institution-building into the arena of global sport. We are delighted to become custodians of this asset and committed to further building this extraordinary legacy."
Echoing this sentiment, Satyan Gajwani highlighted RCB's reigning champion status and immense popularity, noting, "RCB is the reigning champion and the most popular brand in the IPL. As The Times of India Group, together with our partners, we will build RCB into a global sporting institution, while remaining rooted in Bengaluru and Karnataka and its incredible fanbase. We are committed to the people who built this championship-winning culture—the players, coaches, leadership team, and fans."
Competitive Bidding and Historical Context
The sale attracted significant interest from prominent figures and entities, including Adar Poonawalla of the Serum Institute of India, Ranjan Pai of Manipal Hospitals, private equity firms EQT, TPG, and Temasek, as well as the Glazer family, owners of Manchester United. This competitive bidding underscores RCB's high market value and strategic importance.
Historically, United Spirits acquired the Bangalore franchise in 2008 with a winning bid of US$111.6 million (approximately Rs 485 crore) when the BCCI launched the IPL. In 2023, RCB management invested an additional Rs 901 crore to secure the WPL team. The franchise achieved notable success in recent years, winning the WPL in 2024 and clinching its first-ever IPL title in 2025.
RCB's Evolution and Brand Strength
Since its inception, RCB has been home to cricketing legends such as Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Shane Watson, Anil Kumble, Glenn Maxwell, Yuvraj Singh, and Faf du Plessis. The franchise's popularity surged notably after Virat Kohli assumed captaincy in 2013, transforming it from one of eight teams into a globally recognized brand with a massive following across Karnataka, India, and social media platforms.
Despite a 17-year title drought initially, RCB cultivated a loyal fanbase, driven by Kohli's rise as Team India captain and a dominant brand in cricket. As of 2026, RCB leads in social media reach and broadcast media popularity. In 2025, Brand Finance ranked RCB as the IPL's second most valuable brand after Mumbai Indians and among the top three strongest brands alongside Mumbai and Chennai. Similarly, global investment bank Houlihan Lokey recognized RCB as the foremost brand in the IPL.
This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for RCB, promising enhanced investment, strategic direction, and a reinforced commitment to its legacy and fan community under new ownership.
